My wife died in my arms and I always remember this song when she was on her way and she saw it in her eyes and she said Babe I Love You. I cry all the time I hear this song.
Indeed...the Seventies were my high school years...we had everything from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd to the Bee Gees and Donna Summer. In retrospect, I even miss Disco 🤔😂
Hey David Bordonaro ... about two decades ago I would have disagreed. At that time I was trying to decide a career direction and endure a few bad romances. But today as a sort of old guy, I now realize you are absolutely correct. Everything was there in the '70's, even the occasional Beach Boys number. Moreover, happily there was no RAP (yet).
Hi Angela...this is a very well composed and emotionally rich love song. It was nice to hear it again...lots of pleasant memories. Thank you for reacting to this. ❤❤👍👍
Not only did Dennis write this song for his wife - except for the guitar solo, which was added later on, this is the original demo that he recorded and played for her at a party. Styx attempted to redo it but could never recapture the original magic, which sent this song to the top of the charts in late '79.
Yeah, I'm not calling you out on this, by ANY means, but I doubt some of this, as I've heard them do the song live and, even with the new keyboardist (2000, in Japan) and, as always, they kill it every time. Styx is a very rare band in that, all the musicians are NOT "Jam" artists, but are the kind, like Yes, who can do the exact same performance live as they do in the studio, usually note-for-note. I would really be interested in where you got your information from so I could read it. I mean your story is great, and the part about what went on the album was the demo plus Tommy Shaw' guitar added in ... the stuff of legend ... but it's not plausible they they couldn't have reproduced it themselves ... not if you know the band or have seen them play. I believe that they just thought well, they didn't HAVE to remake it, as it was pretty much perfect as it was.
@@StevesFunhouse You should go find a video called "Beyond the Vinyl" with Dennis DeYoung. He explains all of this in his own words. It's not uncommon for artists to record a demo only to discover they can never recapture that same original magic.
@@RushTrader Except, I've SEEN them do it LIVE, and they sounded perfect. At that point, it doesn't matter what he thinks ... yes it was a demo on the album, with Tommy Shaw's guitar solo added on top but, they COULD HAVE done it again ... they just didn't NEED to. So again, I've SEEN them do it in concert videos and they sounded perfect.
@@StevesFunhouse I'm ONLY talking about the studio version being the demo. Sure, the band can play it well live, so what? I just thought it was great how the original demo became the #1 single. You're getting off topic.
@@RushTrader Oh, Ok, I'm with you. But, I was NOT off topic. I objected to the phrase YOU stated, "Styx attempted to redo it but could never recapture the original magic", because they clearly did.
I dedicated this song to my girlfriend who is now my wife the night before I went to basic training many years ago. The radio station didn’t take requests usually but because I was leaving for the Army they did. Memories
A truly great power ballad demands both majestic pomp and craven shamelessness. Dennis DeYoung the lead vocalist of 'Styx' had both. "Babe" may be Hallmark-level expression, but this was THE song when I was aged 15 and falling in love for the first time. It still resonates with me today..
A staple of our Friday night junior high dances along with "Ships," "I Know I'll Never Love This Way Again," "Lead Me On," Upside Down," etc., etc. This really brings back memories.
The story about this song is that Dennis DeYoung actually wrote this song for his wife and the producers of the album "Cornerstones" heard it and said they wanted it on the album.
Plus, the recording was the demo featuring Dennis playing all the keyboards and singing all the harmonies with John and Chuck on drums and bass, respectively. They just overdubbed Tommy Shaw’s guitar solo and it became the bands only #1 hit!
You're reactions are just as sweet and sentimentally genuine as the musical choices you make, Angela! Thank you for keeping great music alive!!!!! I enjoy your reactions and Jamal_aka_Jamel's as well! You guys sum things up nicely and express you genuine appreciation of the music!
Just as You, I'm a Sucker for Love Ballads. This is One of My Favorite Love Songs of theirs. This Track and "Lady" From their First Album. They don't Write Lyrics like that anymore. The Lyrics are so Open, Pure and Honest of How a Man should Feel about a Woman. That was the Magic of the 70s Ballads. This 1979 Song will Never get Old and it will always be a Treasure of Classic Rock.
I was getting ready to go active duty in the AF in 79 and this was on the radio. It was hard to say goodbye to my girlfriend, but this song brings me back to that moment every time I hear it. Alas, it was not to be.
Singer Dennis De Young wrote this song as a gift for his wife and it ended up not only being put on the album, but was the biggest hit on the album. Here's something interestingly unusual. De Young is still married to the same woman. One of the great enduring loves in rock and roll. Another song he dedicated to his wife that was a big hit and a great song is "Lady." You really should react to that song as well. This song (Babe) is another questionable "Guilty Pleasure." Just a great rock and roll love song-ballad from the late 1970s that was truly heartfelt by the composer.
I think this was the most played single by my parents when I was a kid.The vinyl wore out. Secretly by mom and dad, alone late at night. I caught them at times when I was supposed to be in bed. It seemed to give each inspiration in what was some tough times. Not going beyond too much, every relationship has its issues. But some way, this song, after the times I caught them listening (they did not catch me)....did seem to bring them closer in the days, weeks and months later. It was as if talking to them. I know weird, but when things were down for both, I would catch them listening to this late at night. Maybe that is why I was so lucky to have such a loving mom and dad.
Just catching up on all your content, I loved all your Carpenters reactions thanks for your old soul, nice to see in a beautiful young women. Keep it up:)
@@jamesanthony5257 Lady, by Styx, is a straight out rock song with a hard charging beat...Beth is a soft ballad. My point was Beth and Babe are both soft ballads done by rock bands.
Watched a recent interview with Dennis DeYoung and he says leaving his wife and kids made touring insufferable which eventually really causes a rift with his band also has a problem with bright lights do he always wears sunglasses. At least his priorities were right for a rock legend
As mentioned, you have to think of solders going off to war and saying good-bye to their 'Babe'. Although this didn't come out until 1979, after Vietnam, it would have been the perfect song for so many guys that were drafted. But still relevant for for any solder that still gets sent to war.
Growing up in the 70's Styx was not liked by many people . In the 70's as a teenager if you listen to Styx or country music. People would give you a really time for liking styx , county music and a few others. I lived in Lexington Kentucky a few miles from Rupp arena, went to over 25 concerts together, Styx was the only one I went to by myself! My 5 friend's and I were a real tight group of boys, still friends with 4 of the 5 50 years later , my best friend died in a car crash in 1980 worst year in my life.
I didn't read through all the comments, so someone else may have beat me to it, but I think I can speak for many when I say "We think you're pretty special too babe".
You should definitely check out some more of Styx. Come Sail Away, A.D.1928/Rockin' the Paradise, Blue Collar Man, Foolin' Yourself, Crystal Ball, Born for Adventure, The Grand Illusion......
It's a nice song ,(though hardly a classic in my opinion), that is enjoyable to listen to, but not going to revisit soon. Just enjoy, it's just an expression. Nobody actually feels guilty.
Written by Dennis DeYoung. He played keyboards and sang lead here. 🎹👨🎤 Tommy Shaw on backing vocal 👨🎤 and guitar solo. 🎸 He originally wanted to keep this private. But he changed his mind. The sing went Number 1 in 1980! 😃 Suggested next Styx song sung by Dennis: Love at First Sight. 🎹👨🎤 Suggested Styx song sung + written by Tommy Shaw: Too Much Time on My Hands. 👨🎤🎸
Dennis should have made a solo album for this type release. This and the whole Mr Roboto ( let’s put on a play before our concert ) fiasco is why he’s not in Styx today… and that’s a shame because I love a lot of the early Styx with Dennis on lead.
For other great love songs of this era try some Air Supply. Maybe All out of Love, Every Woman in the World, Lost in Love, or my favorite Even the Nights Are Better.
HEY YOU SAID THE WORD BABE WAS WEIRD ON THAT SONG LYRICS? SO VERY IMPORTANT MUSICIAN IN AMERICAN, WTHATS THE WORD YOU COULD REPLACE ON THAT LYRICS? Iam a Brazilian man, and I lived at 1970 and 1980 and 1990 and until today. I can't understand your position abou the olders persons. Can you tell me please?thanks a lot..
Hi Angela, This is not a reaction request, but just a sharing of IMO a much better version of this same song. It is live and is the official video. Here's a link to it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yaVyQS1T7TY.html The backstory is the lead vocal (singer and piano player) wrote this song for his wife as a birthday present. If you choose to watch it, enjoy.
Great reaction again Angela!! Not sure how this beautiful love song became a guilty pleasure but if it got you to react to it than I am 100% in favour!! When you are finished counting down the 50 guilty ones, please consider reacting to a few Halloween scary type tunes like "Werewolf" by The Five Man Electrical Band, "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon, "Spooky" by The Classics IV, "Season of the Witch" by Donovan and "Witch Queen of New Orleans" by Redbone!! Great job on this one!!
